If your mailbox is anything like mine, you are inundated
with special offers, once in a lifetime opportunities, and sounds-too- good-to-be-true deals of rags to riches. Being slightly
pessimistic, I take everything I receive at face value until I am able to decipher its true meaning and if in fact there is
any real value to me, or my family.

Credit cards
are really no different. Every credit card has its place, and every credit card has its followers. Over the past couple
of years, I have been true to just one card, my trusted American Express Card. I decided that a wallet full of other bank,
store and loyalty credit cards just wasn't worth the hassle of trying to keep track of my so-called rewards. Taking back
my wallet has been a rather liberating experience. One card, one reward program and one redemption person to call is so much
more organized.

The American Express AIR MILES
CreditCard is no different. It offers Cardmembers benefits like, purchase protection, 24/7 personal service, and a worldwide
presence with customer service all over the globe. My favourite though is definitely, Front Of The Line service,
for things like concerts, shows and events before they are available to the general public. Accessibility to AIR MILES Sponsors
and reward redemption are simply an added benefit as well.

American Express offers three co-branded Cards with AIR MILES, which when used in conjunction with their participating
AIR MILES sponsors can allow Cardmembers to earn twice. The AIR MILES lineup provides Cardmembers the opportunity to choose
the Card that will best fit their needs without having to alter their spending habits or stretching their budgets. Annual
fees range from $0 to $299, depending on the level of benefits that you require. All of the American Express AIR MILES Cards
are designed around the consumer experience and the benefits level expected. So, whether you are a stay at home mom (SAHM)
looking to budget smartly, get the best deal on the family trip south or the business traveller who requires features and
benefits all over the globe, the American Express AIR MILES is the card for you.

I was a collector of mileage points from one of the big airlines as I thought it would
be a great way to earn and plan for family getaways. I was however sorely mistaken to think that there would not be limitations
and restrictions on how, when, where I was allowed to travel. They not only limited my routes available, blackout dates,
tax restrictions and how much I was allowed to redeem at one time, but also how many people were allowed to travel with me.
That in no way shape or form is a customer driven experience.

The American Express AIR MILES Reserve Credit Card is different in most every way. You can rest easy as its
focus in not about earning and burning your points. This card is focused on providing incredible levels of service and a
customer travel experience with premium rewards. They offer AIR MILES FlexFly Redemptions, meaning the cardholder can access
additional airlines and destinations, departure times and seats not within the AIR MILES Flight Program.

Many cards have blackout dates, and limiting redemption zones,
which usually create a barrier associated with collecting. Collecting on a reward already earned shouldn't come with all
sorts of restrictions, nor should you be required to hold a PHD in Astrophysics in order to understand them. The American
Express AIR MILES Reserve Card is the first of its kind to allow Card members to redeem without all these restrictions. Other
perks include a complimentary companion ticket; access to AIR MILES concierge service and up to 4 passes to airport lounges
worldwide every year, and so much more.

With
the Thanksgiving holiday weekend approaching I will be putting my American Express AIR MILES card through its paces. With
the likes of Metro, Sobeys, Rexall and the LCBO as AIR MILES Sponsors, I am sure to put a dent in my future travel rewards.
What's even better, you can earn 100 Bonus AIR MILES reward miles when you enroll your Amex AIR MILES Card and charge at least
3 separate purchases to your Card between October 3rd and 10th, 2013. www.airmiles.ca/amexfalloffer2

Check out the American Express Facebook page for additional offers, contests, events and upcoming
giveaways designed around furthering the Cardmember experience.

This post was sponsored by Amex Bank of Canada. The views and opinions expressed in this blog, however, are
purely my own.